STRATFORD -- Matthew P. Catalano, the outspoken 2nd District Republican town councilman, went on the record Tuesday night in backing Democrat Joe Paul for the mayor's seat at Town Hall.

"When I got elected with John in '09, I knew I got elected with the wrong guy," he said in reference to Mayor John Harkins, who became the town's second mayor in November 2009. "I'm here for my town. I'm not part of that gang."

Catalano also said he's no longer a member of the Republican Town Committee, although he's still registered as a Republican voter.

"Party politics are killing this town," Catalano said, "and what I like about Joe is that he's not part of the other gang, either. He stood up and won a primary, beating the endorsed Democrat."

Catalano added that he's never had very good relations with Harkins, who is running for re-election Nov. 5.

"In the last four years, I've never had a reasonable conversation with him on anything concerning the town of Stratford, to tell you the truth," he said. "He's never emailed me. He's never called me."

Harkins won by a landslide in 2009, beating Democrat James R. Miron 7,334 to 3,912 votes. Independent Domenic "Dom" R. Costello received 2,402 votes, so Harkins still received more than 1,000 votes than Costello and Miron combined.

Still, Catalano is extremely popular in his district. Most Stratford residents would be hard-pressed to name their town councilman, but not in Catalano's district.

"It doesn't come as a surprise," he said. "Matt and the mayor have a difference of opinion on the American Shakespeare Theatre, and I think we all know that. Mayor Harkins has been perfectly clear -- he will not use taxpayer dollars to reopen that theater."

Decilio also said Jason Santi, the 4th District town council Democrat, is backing Harkins.

In a letter to the Stratford Star, Santi said in this week's edition: "Mayor Harkins has proven time and time again that he is dedicated to helping the Fourth District residents."

Catalano said he's still steamed over the redrawing of town voting district lines over the summer. His district, which used to be the 3rd District, is now called the 2nd District.

"It doesn't serve the town and it's cut the historic district in half," Catalano said. "And one other thing: This redistricting is the most egregious act of socio-economic gerrymandering I've ever seen. By switching (Districts) 2 and 3, they have put all of the minorities in one planning district -- so they can do what they want to do on zoning."